Canyons

Music: R. Carlos
During a road trip this summer, I experienced the pinnacle of the “mysterious”. Fulfilling my desire to photograph a slot canyon, I travelled to Antelope Canyon which is located on the Navajo Nation’s land in Page, Arizona. The Native American, Navajo people refer to themselves as the Diné. The Diné named the canyon, Tse’bighanilini, the place where water runs through rock. Tse’bighanilini was formed by millions of years of water flooding through sandstone sculpting 120’ walls above a dry stream bed. Tse’bighanilini is Mother Nature’s creation of a sacred temple. The Diné way of life is expressed in their prayer “The Blessing Way,” which expresses their reverence of Mother Nature and translates into, “Walk In Beauty.” Entering the canyon, one is immediately embraced by the red cathedral walls resonating holiness. It is a spiritual journey onto sacred grounds as the Diné guide plays a wooden flute and the soulful music echoes through the canyon. It is my hope that this video will evoke in the viewer a renewed appreciation for the Native Americans and their important cultural contributions that we, Americans can integrate into our complex lives. I, humbly, thank the Diné people for sharing their sacred temple and providing me, and others with an opportunity for spiritual growth. Walk in beauty.